Digital Citizenship Education

Newman-CrowsLandingUSDstudentsaretakingpartinclassroomlessonsfromtheCommonSenseMediaDigitalLiteracyandCitizenship Curriculum. The overall goal of this curriculum is to educate and empower young people to harness the power of the Internet and digital technology so they become safe, responsible, and respectful digital citizens.

Whatisdigitalcitizenship?

YouTube.Runescape.iTunes.Twitter.Facebook.ClubPenguin.Digitalmediaandtechnologyisevolving at a dizzying pace, bringing with it extraordinary opportunities as well as real risks for our children. On the positive side, young people are using the immense power of the Internet and mobile technologies to create, connect, explore,andlearninwaysneverbeforeimagined.Onthenegativeside,harmfulbehaviorsaidedbydigitaltechnology, from cyberbullying to digital cheating, are surfacing in schools and in homes across the country.

Common Sense Media (www.commonsense.org)is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.

What Common SenseMediateaches?

Theunderlyingmessageofthecurriculumisoneofempowerment:Withpowerfuldigitaltoolsofcreationandcommunication comes great responsibility. The curriculum centers on three topics and nine units based on the digitalethicsresearchofDr.HowardGardnerandTheGoodPlayProjectattheHarvardGraduateSchoolof Education. Their model of ethical thinking stresses the responsibilities that one has online to oneself, friends andfamily,andtotheonlinecommunityas a whole.Studentsalsothinkcriticallyabouthowtheytreatothersin this fast-paced digital world, and they learn to use the Internet in legal, ethical, and responsible ways. Here is an overview of the unit topics.

The curriculumemphasizesskillbuilding, criticalthinking,and decisionmaking, andemphasizesa balanced how their digital and online behaviors affect themselves, their friends and family, and the communities of which theyare a part.TheywillhavetheopportunitytousecomputersandtheInternettopracticedigitalliteracy skills and to create digital media projects (videos, blogs, digital art) to demonstrate and share their knowledge.

Whatfamiliescando

Common Sense Media takes a whole-community approach to digital literacy and citizenship by providing parent resourcestohelpyousupportyourkid’slearning.Asweengageintheselessonsinclass,wewillbesending home parent tip sheets, videos, and an occasional homework activity for you to do together with your kids. We encourage you to read and view the parent materials, have fun with the homework activities, and take this as an opportunity to talk to your child about digital media. If you have access to the Internet at home or at work, you can visit the Common Sense Media website atwww.commonsensemedia.organdtake a look at the wealth of parent resources it provides on children and media.

WearethrilledtobelaunchingthisDigitalLiteracyandCitizenshipCurriculumandlookforwardtosharingmore with you in the weeks ahead. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Raising and educating young people in today’s 24/7 digital media environment is one of the most exciting and daunting challenges thatparentsandschoolsfacetoday.Workingtogether,wecanraise a generationofkidswhobecomesmart, responsible, and respectful digital citizens.